Turkiye's Directorate of Religious Affairs, known as Diyanet, has held a computerised draw for the 2027 Hajj after nearly two million people registered for a limited number of pilgrimage places. The draw sets the order of priority for applicants hoping to travel to Makkah next year.
The scale of demand underlines a challenge faced by many Muslim-majority countries. Saudi Arabia allocates each nation an annual Hajj quota based largely on the size of its Muslim population, and the number of hopeful pilgrims routinely dwarfs the places available.
A transparent, supervised draw
According to Hajj Reporters, citing the Turkish agency ILKHA, the draw was conducted under the supervision of a public notary and in the presence of media representatives. Diyanet said the process was designed to ensure fairness in allocating the limited slots amid overwhelming demand.
Applicants can now check their results through Turkiye's e-Government portal, known as e-Devlet, and through Diyanet's official digital platforms. Successful candidates will be contacted in the coming months to begin registration.
With nearly two million registrations this year, the vast majority of applicants will not secure a place immediately. Under established Diyanet rules, those not selected carry over in the waiting system and remain eligible for future seasons. For many Turkish families, the annual draw is a moment of hope, and some wait years for their turn.
What comes next for selected pilgrims
Following the draw, Diyanet will begin comprehensive preparations for those chosen. These include final registration and documentation, mandatory health screenings, and educational seminars covering Hajj rituals and logistics. The agency will also arrange travel and accommodation, and provide guidance on safety protocols, crowd management and spiritual observance.
The 2027 preparations coincide with Saudi Arabia's continued modernisation of pilgrimage services. Recent investment has focused on crowd management technology, expanded transport including the Haramain High-Speed Railway, improved healthcare facilities at the holy sites, and digital tools such as electronic permits and mobile applications. These upgrades are intended to accommodate rising pilgrim numbers while improving safety and comfort in Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah.
Advice for applicants
Prospective pilgrims in Turkiye are encouraged to stay informed through official Diyanet channels rather than unofficial sources. Those selected should respond promptly to registration requests and complete health screenings early, since medical fitness is a requirement for travel.
Applicants who are not chosen this year should keep their registration active so their place in the waiting system is preserved. It is also worth using the waiting period to prepare spiritually and to learn the rituals of Hajj in advance, so that the journey, when it comes, can be performed with knowledge and calm.
The record level of interest reflects the deep spiritual importance of Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, for Muslims across Turkiye and around the world.